It's a big game for Trojans -- and Pete Carroll

The Pacific 10 Conference football championship is on the line.

A shot at the Bowl Championship Series title game also could be in play.

So USC's game on Saturday at Oregon is huge for the Trojans.

For Pete Carroll as well.

While USC's coach is far more beloved than embattled, there are rumblings among Trojans fans aching for a trip to a postseason game at the Rose Bowl that is not considered a consolation prize.

Few regular-season games in Carroll's eight-plus seasons have put him on the spot as he will be on Halloween night at Autzen Stadium.

In case you missed it, Carroll is 0 for 3 in his last three trips to the Beaver State.

The Trojans are a one-loss team instead of unbeaten one because of questionable coaching decisions before and during their defeat at Washington.

And, as of late, USC's defense has been a second-half mess.

All of that, of course, ultimately comes back to Carroll, a defense-minded coach who has long been regarded as a master of motivation and halftime adjustments, characteristics that helped the Trojans win seven consecutive Pac-10 titles and make seven straight BCS bowl game appearances.

One or both of those streaks could end if the Trojans again go south in the Pacific Northwest.

Carroll's troubles in Oregon began in 2006 when USC fell behind Oregon State at Corvallis. The Trojans staged a late comeback but came up short when the Beavers batted away John David Booty's two-point conversion pass.

In 2007, Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon sliced and diced the Trojans' defense, while Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez struggled in his third career start.

Last season, Oregon State blew USC's defense off the line of scrimmage en route to victory over the then-No. 1 Trojans.

Conceivably, USC could have been top-ranked in the polls going into Saturday's game at Eugene had Carroll not mishandled the Trojans' quarterback situation before the Pac-10 opener at Washington last month.

Previous USC quarterbacks readying for first starts under Carroll were managed masterfully before and during their debuts.

In 2003, Carroll and former offensive coordinator Norm Chow built up Matt Leinart's confidence and then protected him with a game plan that played to his strengths at Auburn.

Carroll and former offensive coordinators Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin did the same for Booty at Arkansas in 2006.